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Bishop Richard welcomes Lord Farmer’s report on prisoners’ families

11/08/2017 11:00 am

The lead Catholic Bishop for prisons has welcomed the publication of Lord Farmer’s report on the importance of strengthening prisoners’ family ties.

This landmark report highlights the vital position of families in supporting people’s rehabilitation. It outlines practical recommendations in areas including family visits, video communications, and parenting classes.

Responding to the report, Bishop Richard Moth said:

"As the lead Catholic Bishop for prisons, I strongly welcome Lord Farmer’s report, which highlights clearly the central role that families can play in helping prisoners to turn their lives around and making our society safer.

It is also encouraging that this report recognises the importance of supporting families themselves, including the great number of children with a parent in prison, who are all too often the forgotten victims of crime.

I hope that the government will begin implementing the report’s recommendations as a matter of priority. The Catholic community will, of course, continue to play our part and I am grateful to Lord Farmer for recognising the contribution of faith groups.

We know that around 1 in 4 Catholic prisoners have received direct support from a chaplain concerning family issues, while charities and volunteers linked to the Church provide invaluable support both inside and outside the prison gates."